URGENT ACTION ALERT: Arizona NDAA bill on its deathbed

PHOENIX (April 15, 2012) – A proposed Arizona bill that would block state agencies from cooperating with the feds on National Defense Authorization Act detention without due process needs your HELP right now.

Initially, the Arizona House Rules committee voted 5-4 to kill SB1182. After a grassroots push and adept political maneuvering by bill sponsor Sen. Sylvia Allen (R-Snowflake), two committee members saw the light and reversed course, and the committee passed the bill on to the full House. The bill was placed on the calender to go to the Committee of the Whole for debate on April 4, the final step before a full House vote. But the bill was delayed and pulled from the calender, and hasn’t seen the light of day since.

Sources close to the Tenth Amendment Center say they think Speaker of the House Andy Tobin (R – Dewey) may feel political pressure to keep the bill off the calender. Keep in mind, Sen. John McCain hails from the Grand Canyon State and wields significant power in the Arizona Republican Party. He remains a strong proponent of the detention provisions written into sections 1021 and 1022 of the NDAA. Pressure might also emanate from the governor’s office. Despite her “states’ rights” rhetoric, Gov. Brewer doesn’t always govern according to her “principles.” She vividly demonstrated this fact Thursday with her veto of a sheriffs first bill. And finally, Tobin may just not like the legislation. Perhaps he favors federal kidnapping of Arizona citizens.

Whatever the case may be, it remains up to the people of Arizona to put pressure on Tobin to get the bill moving. Ultimately, the people possess the most power. They just need to use it.

ACTION ITEMS

Arizona residents – contact Speaker Tobin and tell him politely, but firmly, that you want him to put SB1182 on the calender so the House can take action on it. Let him know in no uncertain terms that you expect him and his fellow representative to do their duty and interpose on the behalf of the people of Arizona, and stand up to unconstitutional detention provisions written into the NDAA. Phone calls work best. Then follow up with an email and/or a handwritten letter. You can find Tobin’s contact information HERE.

Contact your own representative and let her or him know you want them to pass SB1182. Ask them to lobby Tobin to get the bill on the calender and encourage them to vote for the bill when they have the opportunity. You can find your representatives contact information HERE.

If you live outside of Arizona, contact Tobin and let him know the rest of the nation is watching Arizona. Remind him that his state has the opportunity to take the lead in this important matter.

UPDATE: 04-16-12

An Arizona resident contacted us to let us know that they had reached out to Speaker Tobin via twitter – and was told that a) SB1182 was not taken off the calendar and b) that it is on the House Calendar for today, 04-16-12. your calls, emails – and tweets – to your Legislators are needed right now!